We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natalie Delgado a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Natalie, appreciate you joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I’m thrilled to share my story on how I became my own boss doing the job I LOVE! My early days started as a student at Paul Mitchell the School in Costa Mesa to becoming a successful licensed esthetician and now entrepreneur.

After graduating in 2019, I began my career at a spa in Newport Beach (2020), where I spent almost three years honing my skills, training, and building a loyal clientele. As I grew professionally, I realized it was time to take the next step. I was faced with a decision: join another spa or take the leap and start my own business.

I’m proud to say that I chose the latter in 2023, and it’s been the best decision I ever made. As a solo esthetician, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with my clients, providing personalized services and building meaningful relationships. I’m responsible for every aspect of my business, from treatments to marketing.

One of my favorite parts of being my own boss is creating content for my social media channels, particularly Instagram. I use Canva, an amazing app that allows me to bring my vision to life. From designing posts to creating engaging stories, Canva has been instrumental in helping me connect with my audience and showcase my brand.

Advice for estheticians wanting to branch off on their own is to keep pushing yourself even when change is scary. I had always wanted to be on my own but had just said “I’ll do it later when the time is right”. On and on I said that to myself, pushing my dream to the side because I was comfortable in my routine, but deep down I still wished of having my own business. Taking the leap to start was the best decision I’ve made and now I’m the happiest I have ever been!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am Natalie Delgado and I live and work in Orange County. I have always had a passion for all things beauty whether that was doing my friend’s hair, make up, or giving them skin care advice.
My mom started me at an early age with a simple skin care routine when she took me into Nordstrom to have the beauty pros at the counter give me a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen – the key basics to any routine. From then on, I loved learning more about products and do’s/donts of the skin care world. At the end of high school I still didn’t know which route to take whether that was the beauty world or going to college. I ended up going to college for a year and a half while still trying to find what’s best for me. I fell out of place in college and felt like this wasn’t the right path for me.. something felt off. My mom and I had previously talked about esthetician school. So when I brought it up as a possible option, she said that it was a great idea. Soon after we went to tour Paul Mitchell The School Costa Mesa and I fell in love. I knew that it was going to be my future.
I loved every second of school and a learning everything there is to know about skin. From the basics of a facial to learning in depth about skin layers and skin conditions.

Today in my own business, I love to perform the traditional style facial. That comes with steam, extractions, mask and massage, as well as a neck and shoulder massage (Soooo relaxing!!). The popular trend today is a lot of machine facials, but I truly love the traditional facial that combines treatment with luxury and relaxation. I believe that sets me apart from a lot of others because the traditional facial felt like it was being pushed away with new high-tech machines coming into the picture. I love to customize each facial to every clients skin.

I am very proud of how I stepped out of my comfort zone to really push myself to live my dream job. Change of routine has always been hard for me. It seemed so scary back then to drop everything and start new from the ground up. But taking that leap of faith in creating my own brand, my own vision, has been the most incredible experience in finding myself and showing myself through my work. I’m grateful that I get to share that with my longtime loyal clients and the new clients they get to know me from the business I created!

I am insanely grateful for my family for helping me through the journey of starting up my business. Most importantly, giving me the reinsurance and motivation to feel confident enough to do it on my own. My parents, my boyfriend, and friends/family were an amazing part of my story and helped me so much and I’m truly grateful.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Social media has been a crucial component in making my business expand and grow. It has connected me to so many different people in my area and also all around the country. I am able to connect with other estheticians to support each other as well as connecting with clients who are local. Many people find me through Instagram. I absolutely love content creation. I naturally have always been drawn to photography and videography. Even in high school I took photo as an elective and found it as a passion. Having an interest in photography, has enhanced my career so much because it comes so naturally.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Being honest has been the most effective strategy in keeping loyal clients. Even though honesty seems like the most basic necessity in any business, it still can be hard to find especially in the service and sales industry. I have a witnessed and experience people who only want the client to buy what they want to progress their sales and income. I personally am not a sales pusher. Even though it could benefit me tremendously if they bought certain products. I always want what’s best for the client and their skin. Creating a relationship with a client allows me to see what they truly need and can benefit from. So learning about them personally and their skin allows me to have the knowledge to help them in the long run. So when I do recommend a product or treatment for them, they truly trust that I have what’s best for them at heart and take my word.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nrdskin.com
• Instagram: nrdskin

Image Credits

Natalie Delgado NRD SKIN